The Russellville River Valley Predators won the second annual On the Prowl Tournament at M.J. Hickey Field last Saturday. The Predators used heroics and rallies to claim the championship title. After losing their only game to the Arkansas Legends 4-1, they came back to beat them in the championship game.

Russellville won its first game 8-1 over the Conway Cards but lost its second game to the Legends, making them one loss from elimination.

The team would rally in the bottom of the fifth to defeat the Conway Cats 8-5 and vault themselves into the championship game. Reid Cone singled, Austin White reached on a hit-by-pitch, and Lane Reves loaded the bases with a walk. Derek Birginske singled in two runs and Blake Henderson finished off the Cats with a dramatic walk-off home run. Little did the team know they would have to use that momentum and heroism for the championship game against the Legends.

Down 6-3 in the top of the seventh of the title game, Luke Cason started the comeback rally with a walk. Jesse Duvall doubled scoring Cason, Cone had an RBI single and later scored on a passed ball to tie the game and forcing extra innings. Tyler Lawson walked, an error allowed Duvall to reach, and White walked to load the bases allowing Russellville to have a chance. Reves hit a two-run single, and White later scored on a passed ball making the score 9-6 Predators. Birginske came in and struckout the side, allowing Russellville to claim victory in 11 innings.

Birginske got the win pitching 71/3 innings, striking out 15 while also having two hits offensively. Leading the way for the Predators was Blake Henderson and Reves who each had two singles. Frank Chiolino and Jesse Duvall each had a double for Russellville. The USSSA 13U Champs are Henderson, Steven Possey, Birginske, Reves, White, Mike Cowles, Darren Findley, Peyton Golden, Cason, Lawson, Chiolino, Duvall and Reid Cone. The River Valley Predators are coached by Geno Chiolino, Darren Findley and Todd Birginske.

Other results

In the 9-under bracket, the Russellville Redbirds lost to the Arkansas Swing Away 11-7. Central Arkansas Travelers of Conway won the 9-under bracket by defeating the Swing Away 11-5.

In the 11-under-AA bracket, the London Tigers lost 11-1 to the El Dorado Young Guns. The Young Guns won the 11-under bracket by defeating the Arkansas Cobras.

In the 11-under open, the Russellville's Arkansas River Cats lost to the Benton Red Wings 7-2. Springdale's team the Arkansas X-treme won the bracket defeating the Red Wings 13-2.

In the 13-under-AA bracket, Russellville's Riverhawks lost to the Clarksville Diamondbacks 9-3. The Benton Rebels won this bracket by defeating the Drillers 7-6.